Incident Dispatch Team
             

HISTORY:

In the early 1990’s, the California Fire Service developed a specialty position based on the ICS “Radio Operator” position.  It was modified into a local-agency based, rapid-deployment function called the Incident Dispatch Team (IDT).  They discovered that by using a specially trained dispatcher at a fire scene command post, it enhanced field communications, unified command, responder safety, and resource management.  By handling the numerous responsibilities, it freed the Incident Commander to concentrate on the handling of the event while their IDT or specialized dispatcher handled vital tasks and resource tracking. 

OVERVIEW:

The IDT/TERT members are trained to perform dispatch functions within and outside of a traditional Communications Center.  By serving as an enhancement to our department, Team Members arrive on scene to relieve the center dispatchers of the duties needed to manage the incident.  Taking over these critical tasks allows the Center’s staff to continue to handle other calls for service around the County.  The Team also is used to assist other Communications Centers on a day-to-day basis.

Tactical Dispatchers can be an invaluable resource to the Incident Command System where additional or supplemental communications and coordination assistance may be of benefit to the Incident Command Staff and to the overall incident.  Assistance from IDT/TERT is intended to allow the incident command staff to devote their time and focus to operational, planning, and logistical strategies and relieve them of the burden of radio monitoring, transmitting, and tracking of resources.

The IDT/TERT team is a specially trained team to respond to requests for assistance by law enforcement, fire/rescue departments and other PSAPs.  The objective of this unit is to provide communications and documentation of incidents in the field and relieve outside dispatch agencies under extreme conditions.  The team shall be comprised of trained volunteers selected from the ranks of the Sarpy County E-911 Communications Center.  The use of the team is based on the premise that a tactical team composed of exceedingly knowledgeable, highly motivated, and specially trained dispatchers equipped to function as a team can be more effectively deployed to respond.

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE:                       

The IDT/TERT team will consist of a Team Commander, two Team Leaders and Team Members.  Along with basic requirements to become a member of the team, all members will comply with all standards and requirements set forth in this guideline. The Director has the right to remove any member from the IDT/TERT team at his/her discretion.

Team Commander:  Has overall management responsibility of the IDT/TERT Team and ensures the ongoing training, equipment and deployment.  Team Commander must be TERT and IDT certified, complete TERT Team Leader course within one year of becoming Commander, have at least 5 years of supervisory experience within the Sarpy County Communications Center.

Team Leader:  Assumes responsibilities of team in the absence of Team Commander.  Team Leaders must be TERT and IDT certified, complete TERT Team Leader course within one year of becoming Team Leader, have at least 2 years of supervisor experience within the Sarpy County Communications Center, assists Team Commander with training and documentation and other duties as assigned.

Team Member:  All Team members must have a minimum of two years experience as a dispatcher for Sarpy County Communications Center, complete TERT and IDT courses within one year of becoming a member of the team. 

ON-SCENE:       

Work is performed in indoor and outdoor environments in varying weather,  temperatures and conditions and requires that the IDT/TERT Team Member have and
maintain the physical and mental stamina of various incidents and must be willing to
accept the physical and mental discomforts inherent in the work.  Members may be
exposed to violent scenes, natural disasters and other devastations not usually seen by
dispatchers. 

Upon arrival, respond to the Command Post and report to the Incident Commander

Relieve law/fire personnel acting as recorder

Assume tactical dispatch operations

Create and maintain incident logs (hand-written, computerized or large-scale) for the Incident Commander (IC).  Large scale logging requires the ability to stand and move between different logs for extended periods of time with minimal breaks (up to 16 hours) in all weather conditions.

Brief specific Commanders regarding the incident at their request.

Secure all documents pertaining to the incident.  Maintains security and
confidentiality of all reports, records and investigative information under the incumbents care and control not subject to public disclosure.

                     Handle radio traffic to the Command Post and update logs to reflect information received.

                    Document information given to the IC which may require the IDT/TERT member to follow the                       IC to different locations (including, but not limited to, up and down 2 or more flights of stairs,                       and out of the Command Post Vehicle, around the Command Post perimeter.

                    At the request of the IC, deliver documents or other materials to required personnel.

                    Under hostile conditions, the IDT/TERT member will be required to expedite an evacuation to get                      themselves out of danger, to include, but not limited to, running, crawling, manipulating over and                     around obstacles, maneuvering on uneven ground.

Upon completion of incident, create an after-action report and attend any debriefing.

If called to deploy outside of our areas of responsibility, must possess an ability to adapt to poor environmental conditions such as, undefined sleeping arrangements, cold meals, no running water, lack of electricity, etc.

                     Members shall conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner at all times while                       functioning as a part of the deployed team.

NECESSARY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES                     

All skills listed for a Sarpy County dispatcher

Be flexible and energetic to handle all listed requirements

Possess positive interpersonal communication and leadership skills

Be assertive in positive manner

Be an outstanding team member and possess excellent teamwork skills inclusive of cultural diversity

Multi-task and problem solve

Working knowledge of the appropriate public safety emergency response operation and equipment as it relates to the member’s role

Ability to adapt to different policies, procedures, equipment and geographic area

Ability to learn and continue to develop skills related to Incident dispatching and TERT

Ability to take accurate notes and document actions taken

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports

Ability to apply deductive, logical reasoning and to make independent decisions

Ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines

Ability to follow verbal and written commands

Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception as need for making visual and auditory observations with large amounts of background noise and the ability to function in low light conditions

Communication ability to talk and hear within normal ranges.  Required to listen to multiple audible inputs simultaneously.

Ability to learn department polices of all agencies related to the incident.

                       

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS                                            

 

Based on the requirements listed above, the members of the IDT/TERT Team shall have the following abilities:

Mobility in both arms and legs with the ability to constantly move around the work area unassisted.

Ability and range of flexibility to constantly climb stairs, occasionally maneuver uneven ground, frequently crouch, squat and balance

Ability to frequently lift, lower, carry, push/pull technical gear and personal gear weighing up to 40 pounds and occasionally weighing up to 75 pounds

Ability to occasionally walk up two flights of stairs carrying technical/personal gear

Manual dexterity in their hands to constantly make handwritten notes and use of a keyboard

Ability to constantly stand/walk for extended periods of time (up to 16 hours) with minimal breaks

Ability to constantly walk for extended length to deliver documents in a timely manner

Ability to occasionally sit to perform reports

Ability to frequently work in extreme hot or cold weather

Ability to move quickly if situation escalates so as not to endanger themselves or others

Constantly uses peripheral vision to observe and monitor multiple persons and activity

Constantly uses voice to communicate as a result, clear diction and audible volume is required.

Based on conditions responding to, member may not be on refrigerated medications or on a restricted/special diet, and does not possess a medical condition which requires constant monitoring.  Members shall not be deployed if they possess any medical conditions which would present a problem during deployment and compromise the member’s ability to perform, place a burden on the requesting agency or require the member to leave the deployment prematurely.

As adjunct members of the ESU/SWAT team, all members of the Incident Dispatch Team/Tactical Emergency Response Team must meet the minimum physical standards set for the physical requirements to be determined by a four-part test:

• 300 meter run (tests running ability)
• Push-Ups (tests upper body strength)
• Sit-Ups (tests muscular endurance/core)
• 1.5 mile run/walk (tests overall cardio capacity)